Four Days Marches 2018

20 Jul 2018

Statins (lipid-lowering drugs) are among the most widely
prescribed medications, because they markedly reduce the incidence
of major cardiovascular events by lowering LDL-cholesterol.
However, muscle symptoms such as fatigue, myalgia, cramps,
stiffness and tenderness are expected to occur in 15-20% of statin
users, which may lead to nonadherence to statin treatment. Multiple
studies show that statins are linked to mitochondrial disturbances,
which may be the cause of the muscle symptoms.

This year the research during the Four Days Marches of Maria
Hopman and Eline Allard focussed on these statin users. The Four
Days Marches are an unique setting to examine the effects of
intense exercise on muscle functioning. One hundred participants
were included in this study to gain more insight into the influence
of statins on muscle performance. Statin users with muscle
complaints were compared to asymptomatic statin users and
non-statin users. Prior and during the Four Days Marches extensive
measurements were performed to assess muscle function and muscle
damage. Currently the analyses are being performed that hopefully
will lead to a better understanding of statin-related muscle
complaints.